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52 BCBUSINESS.CA SEPTEMBER 2023 C R E A T E A L E G A C Y to support their clients when the conversation of charitable giving arises. These professionals take a holistic approach to serving all their clients wishes, including community support, and work as part of Vancouver Foundation's team to serving clients' interests when it comes to planned giving. "We know it's a difficult and overwhelming task to decide to which charities to give, especially since you're planning for a donation that won't transpire for many years from now," Hikida says. "So, don't. Instead, think of the issues in the community where you'd like to effect change. We can help with the rest." KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA, BC & YUKON BRANCH The Kidney Foundation has supported world class kidney health and transplant research since 1964. "Legacy gifts are vital to the tremendous advance- ments we have seen over the years in kidney care," says Ramya Hosak, Director of Philanthropy with the Kidney Foundation, BC & Yukon Branch. Some examples include prediction and prevention of kidney disease, developing and improving of dialysis treatment, so kidney patients can dialyse at home, and breakthroughs in life-saving organ transplanta- tion and success. "Legacy gifts will be key to even more discoveries in the years to come," she says. "We have the power to relieve the burden of kidney disease, but it's only possible with donors' help." The Kidney Foundation of Canada - BC & Yukon Branch serves thousands of kidney patients in the local community, ensuring marginalized and vulner- able populations have equitable access to programs, services and treatments. This support includes emergency short-term financial assistance for kidney patients in low- income households and home blood pressure monitors for patients across BC/Yukon with high blood pressure. "We also offer seven Kidney Suites in Vancouver at little to no cost (depending on income) for out-of- town kidney transplant patients to recover post- surgery," Hosak says, "and the Kidney Wellness Hub, a low-barrier free online platform to help support the physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing of kidney patients, care partners and living donors." The Kidney Foundation reaches potential donors through overwhelming support from the significant number of impacted kidney patients in the community who spread the word about the organization's services and resources, exciting research into new treatments, and community engagement events. "This has been instrumental in reaching busi- nesses and donors," Hosak says. "As a grassroots, volunteer-led organization, we are forever grateful to our volunteers, donors and businesses for helping us achieve our mission to better the lives of kidney patients today and provide hope for the future." SPECIAL FEATURE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA, BC & YUKON BRANCH " Legacy gifts will be key to even more discoveries in the years to come. We have the power to relieve the burden of kidney disease, but it's only possible with donors' help. " –RAMYA HOSAK Director of Philanthropy with the Kidney Foundation, BC & Yukon Branch